Lagos Demolishes Multi-Million Naira Hotel In Ajegunle

Officials of the Lagos State Physical Planning Development Authority, LASPPHYDA have demolished a multi-million naira three-storey hotel building under construction in Ajegunle area of Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.

The authority also demolished a storey building shopping complex in front of the hotel owned by the same person.

The hotel, situated at No 2 Orodo Street in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area is alleged to have been built on the road set back, obstructing traffic in the area.

Officials of LASPPHYDA stormed the area with security men to effect the demolition of the buildings, saying that the structures did not have building approval and the developer had been stopped from erecting the structure at the initial period but still went ahead.

Security operatives also arrested seven artisans that were on site when the demolition team arrived.

The leader of the demolition team, Mr. Tunde Olugbewesa said that it was necessary for the government to act speedily in order to avert the looming disaster in the area.

According to him, the owner of the property did not get approval from the authority before embarking on the construction of the building, and that the agency served him several notices, including contravention, stop work, seal and demolition notice.

He stated that the demolition approval was given by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde, adding that the shopping complex was situated within the right of way and had contributed to the traffic gridlock in the area.

Olugbewesa alleged that the building was also erected with substandard materials, while the developer did not take into cognizance the required air space, adding that it was imperative to demolish it rather than allow it collapse and destroy lives.

“When we got to know about the building exercise, we investigated the situation and discovered that the developer did not have building approval or any submission, so we sent in men here and seal up the place but the owner removed the seal and continued with the work.

“As you can see the shop was built on the right of way of a road, while the hotel did not comply with the necessary air spaces and set back. The ideal set back required is nine metres and six meters all round but you can see that it has less than one metre here, no parking space and this is a hotel.”

“We had sealed the place but the developer broke the seal and instead of responding he brought in illegal police officers and area boys to the site and ordered his men to continue with the work, but it is important we bring the building down now and save the state future disaster,” he explained.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga